FlipClip-Device for carrying beach footwear and sandals

ABSTRACT

The footwear securely carrying device is a seamless embodiment. Its compactness and versatility allows beach user the freedom of movement and safety. The device comprises of clips on its front and the back. The two front clips let user attach a pair of footwear and the back clip to clothing pockets, waistband, belt, bag strap or bag wall.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Provisional Patent 61/980321 filed on Feb. 26, 2014.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

N/A

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING

N/A

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When enjoying beach-related activities, people want to remove their sandals or footwear, they are posed with two choices: carry them on in their hands, which is cumbersome or leave them behind that may result into loosing losing them.

The footwear carrying devices currently available are a task in themselves, they are large to carry, have complex mechanism or do not offer flexibility, versatility or safety needed from such devices. That user has difficulty securing the footwear and once secured, the device if big will limit the amount of activity. If small, it may not provide the amount of freedom needed if the

PRIOR ART

U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,842 to Taras (1997), U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,261 to Moore (1997), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,582,337 to McPherson et al. (1996) are all strap-like devices designed for carrying skates, shoes, and the likes. All three devices have separate components for attaching skates, shoes, and the like with a strap that can be worn around the waist, but more specifically, to be slung over ones shoulder. None of these devices have any type of restraint on them to keep them from falling off, limiting one's activities while in use. In addition, they are large, complex and bulky.

While much simpler in design, U.S. Pat. No. 4,483,470 to Cousins (1984), shows a convertible strap system for carrying skates and the like. The device consists of a single strap with clamps at either end to secure skates, etc. and it slings freely over ones shoulder with no restraints, again limiting the user's movements and activities.

Schleifer, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,446,849 (2002) shows a carrying device which consists of an elongated strap with clamps at both ends and a method of securement that comprises two additional straps attached to the elongated strap in the area directly above the clamps to fasten the two ends together. This device is intended to be worn on the users user's back and though it is secured to the user, allowing freedom of movement, it is large, cumbersome to wear, and does not offer any versatility.

Both U.S. Pat. No. D554,377 S to Therrio et al. (2007) and U.S. Pat. No. D574,160 S to Therrio et al. (2008) show a holder for sandals. These ornamental design holders are used specifically for holding footwear for display purposes and in no way a means to carry footwear.

Even the small devices, such as shown in the Pat No. US20100252592 A1 does not offer the needed convenience. When footwear is attached to it, they swing freely, that may limit the user from such beach activities require running. The other drawback is its number of parts, there are possibilities that they may loosen or break and user may lose the attached items.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The footwear securely carrying device of the instant invention is seamless unibody embodiment. It comprises of clips on both sides, front and back. The front clips let the footwear to be attached, hung securely and carried. And the back clip let the device to be attached to user's clothing, bag or any other device compatible sturdy structure securely. Being a unibody embodiment, it offers compactness, ease of use, negligible storage capacity and universality to attach to a variety of footwear. The above mentioned advantages allow user a carefree movement for beach activities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a top view of the footwear securely carrying device.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the footwear securely carrying device.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the footwear securely carrying device.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the footwear securely carrying device.

FIG. 5 is a back view of the footwear securely carrying device.

FIG. 6 is a front isometric view of the footwear securely carrying device.

FIG. 7 is a back isometric view of the footwear securely carrying device.

FIG. 8A shows another embodiment of the footwear securely carrying device.

FIG. 8B shows another embodiment of the footwear securely carrying device.

FIG. 8C shows another embodiment of the footwear securely carrying device.

FIG. 9A which is a front view of the footwear securely carrying device being attached to footwear.

FIG. 9B is top view of FIG. 9A showing the footwear securely carrying device being attached to footwear.

FIG. 9C is a front view showing the footwear securely carrying device being attached to a bag strap.

FIG. 9D is front view showing the footwear securely carrying device being attached to a bag.

FIG. 9E is a front view showing the footwear securely carrying device with the footwear being attached to a trouser back pocket.

FIG. 10 shows an alternative embodiment of the footwear securely carrying device that can be sewn into clothing or a carrying bag.

FIG. 11 shows the alternative embodiment of the footwear securely carrying device of FIG. 10 sewn to a bag.

FIG. 12 shows the alternative embodiment of the footwear securely carrying device of FIG. 10 sewn to clothing.

FIG. 13 shows an alternative embodiment of the footwear securely carrying device that can be sewn into clothing or a carrying bag.

FIG. 14 shows the alternative embodiment of the footwear securely carrying device of FIG. 13 sewn to clothing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a top view of the footwear securely carrying device 10 having a right front clip 11, a left front clip 19, a back clip 12, a body 14, a right front clip link 15, a left front clip link 18, and a back clip link 16. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the front clips 11 and 19 and back clip 12 comprise a seamless molded body facilitating the attachment of the device, by a clipping action between the body 14 and the back clip 12, to suitable sturdy structures, such a hand bags, hand bag straps, trouser pockets, etc. Clips 11 and 19 are also substantially vertical in construction, i.e., their vertical dimension substantially exceeds the width dimension. Additionally, after device 10 is attached to a hand bag, a hand bag strap, trouser pocket, etc., clips 11 and 19 facilitate the securing and holding of various articles to the device, by sliding the articles from a top to down motion onto the clips 11 and 19. Such articles could be footwear, e.g. in the form of sandals.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the footwear securely carrying device 10 having a right front clip 11, a left front clip 19, a notch stopper 13 for assisting in securing the device to a suitable sturdy structure, a body 14, a right front clip link 15, a left front clip link 18, and a back clip link 16 extending from the body 14. Also as seen from FIG. 2, the front clips 11 and 19, and back clip 12 comprise a seamless molded body.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the footwear securely carrying device 10 having a front right clip 11, a front left clip 19, a notch stopper 13, a body 14, a right front clip link 15, a left front clip link 18, and back clip link 16 extending from the body 14 along with opening 17 constructed for as a retail hanging hook. As further can be seen in FIG. 3, the two front clips 11 and 19, have the capacity to hold a single footwear each, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, by inserting a strap of the footwear into one of the clips.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the footwear securely carrying device 10 having a front clip 11, a back clip 12, a notch stopper 13, a body 14, and a front clip link 15 and back clip link 16 extending from the body 14.

FIG. 5 is a back view of the footwear securely carrying device 10 having a right front clip 11, a left front clip 19, a back clip 12, a right front clip link 15, a left front clip link 18, and back clip link 16 extending from the body 14 and opening 17 constructed as a retail hanging hook. FIG. 5 further reveals that back clip 12 contains single component allowing device 10 to be attached to clothing, a bag or other device-compatible sturdy structures. FIGS. 10-12, as discussed therein, demonstrate this attachment feature of device 10.

FIG. 6 is a front isometric view of FIG. 3 of the footwear securely carrying device 10 having a right front clip 11, a left front clip 19, a back clip 12, a notch stopper 13, a body 14, and a front clip link 15 and back clip link 16 extending from the body 14 along with opening 17 constructed for as a retail hanging hook.

FIG. 7 is a back isometric view of FIG. 5 of the footwear securely carrying Device 10 having a right front clip 11, a back clip 12, a right front clip link 15, a left front clip link 18, and back clip link 16 extending from the body 14 and opening 17 constructed for a retail hanging hook.

FIG. 8A reveals another embodiment of the invention, particularly a footwear securely carrying device 20 having a right front clip 21, a notch stopper 23, a body 24, a right front clip link 25, a left front clip link 29, a back clip link 26 extending from the body 24 along with opening 27 constructed for as a retail hanging hook. Also shown in FIG. 8A is a left front clip 28 wherein right front clip 21 and left front clip 28 having a mosaic pattern 22.

In FIG. 8B, another embodiment of the invention is revealed, showing a footwear securely carrying device 30 having a right front clip 31, a notch stopper 33, a body 34, a right front clip link 35, a left front clip link 39, a back clip link 36 extending from the body 34 along with opening 37 constructed for as a retail hanging hook. Also shown in FIG. 8B is a left front clip 38 wherein right front clip 31 and left front clip 38 have a wavelike pattern 32.

Finally, in FIG. 8C, another embodiment of the invention is revealed, showing a footwear securely carrying device 40 having a right front clip 41, a notch stopper 43, a body 44, a right front clip link 45, a left front clip link 49, a back clip link 46 extending from the body 44 along with opening 47 constructed for as a retail hanging hook. Also shown in FIG. 8C is a left front clip 48 wherein right front clip 41 and left front clip 48 have a horizontal line pattern 42.

FIG. 9A is a front view showing how the footwear securely carrying device 10 is used for attaching footwear. Particularly in FIG. 9A, the footwear securely carrying device 10 having a right front clip 11, a back clip 12, a right front clip link 15, a left front clip link 18, and a back clip link 16 is shown holding and securely thereon footwear in the form of a left sandal 51 while a right sandal 50 is held and secured by left front clip 19. In FIG. 9A, sandal 50 loop 52 and sandal 52 loop 53 are placed over and into the footwear securely carrying device 10. In FIG. 9B, a top view of FIG. 9A, shows the footwear attaching to footwear securely carrying device 10 having a right front clip 11, left front clip 19, a back clip 12, a body 14, a left front clip link 15, and a back clip link 16 is shown holding and securely thereon footwear comprising a right sandal 50 and a left sandal 51. Also shown in FIG. 9B, is the location of sandal 50 loop 52 and sandal 52 loop 53 relative to right front clip 11, left front clip 19, back clip 12, and back clip link 16.

FIG. 9C a front view revealing the footwear securely carrying device 10 having a right front clip 11, a body 14, and a back clip link 16, holding footwear in the form of a right sandal 50 and a left sandal 51, as described in Figures 9A and 9B, wherein device 10 is attached to a strap 62 of a hand bag 60.

FIG. 9D is a front view revealing the footwear securely carrying device 10 having a front clip 11, a body 14, and a back clip link 16, holding footwear in the form of a right sandal 50 and a left sandal 51 as described in FIGS. 9A and 9B, wherein device 10 is attached to the top a hang bag 70.

FIG. 9E is a front view showing the footwear securely carrying device 10 having a front clip 11, a body 14, a back clip link 16 holding securely thereon footwear in the form of a right sandal 50 and a left sandal 51 as described in FIGS. 9A and 9B, wherein the footwear securely carrying device 10 is attached to trouser back pocket 82 of trousers 80.

FIG. 10 is a front isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the footwear securely carrying device 100 having a right front clip 108, a left front clip 118, a body 109, a pair of stitch lines 101 and 103, and a front clip link 110 disposed behind cloth when assembled wherein the device 100 can be sewn into clothing or carrying bags. The stitch lines 101 and 103 allow device 100 to be sewn into clothing or carrying bags. Additionally, after device 100 is attached to a hand bag, a hand bag strap, trouser pocket, etc., clips 108 and 118 facilitate the securing and holding of various articles to the device, by sliding the articles from a top to down motion onto the clips 108 and 118. Such articles could be footwear, e.g. in the form of sandals.

FIG. 11 shows the alternative embodiment of the footwear securely carrying device 100 of FIG. 10 having a right front clip 108, a left front clip 118, a body 109, and a front clip link 110 being sewn to a strap 122 of bag 120. As can further be seen in Figures 11 and 12, the device 100 is constructed to be permanently attached by sewing to clothing, a bag wall or strap of a bag and that device 100 differs from devices 10, 20, 30 and 40, supra, in that device 100 lacks a back clip.

FIG. 12 shows alternative embodiment of the footwear securely carrying device 100 of FIG. 10 having a right front clip 108, a left front clip 118, a body 109, and a front clip link 110 being sewn to the back portion 182 of trousers 180.

FIG. 13 shows another alternative embodiment of the footwear securely carrying device 200 having a left front clip 203, a right front clip 213, a body 204, a pair of stitch lines 206 and 208, a front clip link 205 and inside flap 207 and 209 disposed behind cloth when assembled wherein the device 200 can be sewn into clothing or carrying bag. FIG. 13 further shows that device 200 is immovable, in its final assembly stage as it is constructed to be permanently attached to clothing by sewing and that device 200 further has two lateral clips, 203 and 213 which allows for footwear to be attached to device 200 on either side of device 200. The clips 203 and 213 of device 200 function by allowing articles to be secured thereto by a horizontal placement versus the vertical top to down motion of the devices 10, 20, 30, 40 or 100 previously discussed.

FIG. 14 shows the footwear securely carrying device 200 of FIG. 13, having a right front clip 203, a left front clip 213, a body 204, a front clip link 205, stitch lines 206 and 208, being sewn to the top of a rear pocket 282 of trousers 280. As can further be seen from FIG. 14, device 200 allows user to attach the footwear from the right and left sides instead of inserting from the top as required in devices 10, 20, 30, 40 or 100. But the characteristics, procedure and the purpose of all of the devices are same for all of the alternative embodiments.

Another embodiment that of the present invention comprises the use of two loops similar to belt loops attached to the pant or similar garment in the waist area, on the back pocket or on the side pocket. They can be stitched by one side and the other side will have snap buttons or buttonholes. After inserting the slippers, shoes or sandals into the loops, the loops will be closed using attached snap buttons or inserting the buttons through the buttonholes.

The footwear securely carrying device of the present invention be created and/or compose of various metal, wood, polymer-based or any material that can ensure the inherent characteristics such as attach ability, strength and flexibility and to perform its desired function appropriately and securely. Furthermore, the footwear securely carrying device can be modified to carry or mount a number of items including but not limited to eye glasses, water bottle, camera, towel, mobile phones etc.

Therefore one can safely assert from the above-mentioned information that one seamless unibody device that provides attach ability to footwear for carrying on person and the its functional characteristics are compactness, non-entangling, non-dangling, ease of use and universal attach-ability to a wide variety of footwear and that let user freely enjoy and participate in any beach activities, is first of its kind. Although above-mentioned detailed descriptions carries specific information but it should not be construed in restrictive manner. The detailed description provides the understanding of the utilitarian use of the device.

The principles of the invention could be practiced by those of skilled in the art with equivalent alternative constructions. The invention may be embodied and practiced in other specific forms without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description; and all variations, substitutions and changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the”, and “said” are intended to mean there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

The preceding written description and the accompanying drawings are intended solely as representative examples. Only the appended claims and their equivalents define the scope of the protected invention. The invention described herein is susceptible to variations, modifications and/or additions other than those specifically described and it is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations, modifications and/or additions which fall within the spirit and scope of the following claims. 

1. (canceled) 2: A footwear securely carrying device comprising a right front clip, a left front clip, a body, a right front clip link, a left front clip link, wherein the device is constructed for holding various articles and is constructed for attachment to suitable sturdy structures. 3: A footwear securely carrying device of claim 2 further provided with a back clip and a back clip link. 4: A footwear securely carrying device of claim 3 wherein said right front clip and left front clip and back clip and body are a seamless molded structure. 5: A footwear securely carrying device of claim 4 provided with a notch stopper. 6: A footwear securely carrying device of claim 5 wherein the body is provided with an opening constructed as a retail hanging hook. 7: A footwear securely carrying device of claim 6 wherein the right front clip and the left front clip are provided with a mosaic pattern thereon. 8: A footwear securely carrying device of claim 6 wherein the right front clip and the left front clip are provided with a wave-like pattern thereon. 9: A footwear securely carrying device of claim 6 wherein the right front clip and the left front clip are provided with a horizontal line pattern thereon. 10: A footwear securely carrying device of claim 6 wherein device is constructed to hold and secure footwear thereto. 11: A footwear securely carrying device of claim 10 wherein the footwear comprises sandals. 12: A footwear securely carrying device of claim 6 wherein the body and back clip function to attach the device to suitable sturdy structures. 13: A footwear securely carrying device of claim 12 wherein the suitable sturdy structure comprises a hang bag. 14: A footwear securely carrying device of claim 12 wherein the suitable sturdy structure comprises a hang bag strap. 15: A footwear securely carrying device of claim 12 wherein the suitable sturdy structure comprises a trouser back pocket. 16: A footwear securely carrying device of claim 2 wherein the body is provided with a pair of stitch lines allowing the device to be sewn to suitable sturdy structures. 17: A footwear securely carrying device of claim 6 wherein the right front clip and the left front clip are of a substantial vertical construction such that their vertical dimension substantially exceeds their width dimension. 18: A footwear securely carrying device of claim 16 wherein the right front clip and the left front clip are of a substantial vertical construction such that their vertical dimension substantially exceeds their width dimension. 19: A footwear securely carrying device of claim 16 wherein the right front clip and the left front clip are of a lateral construction such said clips function to have articles secured to the device by horizontal placement thereon from a side of the device. 20: A footwear securely carrying device of comprising a right front clip, a left front clip, a body, a right front clip link, a left front clip link, a back clip, a back clip link a notch stopper wherein said right front clip and left front clip and back clip and body are a seamless molded structure and wherein the body is provided with an opening constructed as a retail hanging hook and wherein the right front clip and the left front clip are provided with a unique pattern thereon and wherein the device is constructed to hold and secure footwear thereto wherein the footwear comprises sandals and wherein the body and back clip function to attach the device to suitable sturdy structures wherein the suitable sturdy structure comprises a hang bag and wherein the right front clip and the left front clip are of a substantial vertical construction such that their vertical dimensions substantially exceeds their width dimensions. 